Right this instant I am watching ABC3, for roughly the second time since the new "youth" channel was launched at the start of December.

This is what's on right now: Jibber Jabber.



Unpleasant, isn't it?

Now, allow me some momentary old-fogeyism, but I had hoped that Aunty's children's channel would provide respite from the relentless noise of most kids' TV.

Watching any of the commercial channels during "children's time" (i.e. in the early morning on the weekends, or before the early news during the week) is a wince-inducing experience.

For too long, children's television has meant cacophonous sound effects, ADHD-level editing, infuriating voiceovers and idiotic throws-to-camera.

Perhaps because of this, a lot of ABC3's programming seems to be geared towards audiences used to the sort of "HAY GUYS!!!!! *boiiinnnggg*" material that other shows - like Saturday Morning Disney and Totally Wild - have offered.

Then again, cartoons aimed at kids started a fairly rapid downward spiral in the '90s (Wuzzles, anyone?); drama/comedy and documentaries for children have managed to hang in there by a thin thread.

This seems to be where ABC3 has the chance to really shine.

The first hint I got that the new channel could actually do something good for kids' TV was hearing that my beloved Heartbreak High was being aired again - every night (except Saturday), at the 'grown up' end of the ABC3 spectrum, it screens at 8.30pm.

(I know more than a few adults who have been switching to ABC3 specifically to catch the show, cruelly unreleased-on-DVD.)

On the comedy front, the rather winning Lizzie McGuire, and lesser known but no less sparkly Naturally Sadie and How To Be Indie appear, plus Round The Twist and Blue Water High are also popping up again.

Richard Hammond's Blast Lab looks promising enough, too, even if it seems to be a more primary-coloured/primary school take on Andrew W.K.'s Destroy Build Destroy. Compare and contrast:




(Nice Neo-style pleather overcoat, sir!)



If I were a child again, I know which one I'd rather be watching, but mostly because I'd rather shoot a rocket-launcher off my shoulder than I would sit around a tele studio wearing a yellow mac.

It goes without saying that ABC3 is yet to hit its stride; ABC proper has stated that the station aims to produce at least 50% Australian content, and there are a handful of new shows currently in various stages of production.

For now, however, the most impressive thing about ABC3 - if you'll forgive one final step into old fogeyism - is the programming schedule: it closes off at 9pm every night.

Now go to bed and let the grown-ups watch the tele!